The Canadian populations of Western yellow-bellied racers are found in arid mountain valleys where individuals In Canada, Eastern yellow-belied racers primarily inhabit riparian habitat (areas along the edges of waterbodies) and grasslands near river valleys. On Pelee Island, blue racers inhabit fields, savannah, alvar (limestone areas with little-to-no soil), thickets, hedgerows, forest edges and sparse woodland. North American racers generally inhabit dry, open to semi-open habitats that are sunny and warm. Most of the United States, parts of Mexico and in Guatemala and Belize. The species is widespread south of the border, where it is found throughout Racer is found throughout several of the mountain valleys in south-central British Columbia. Southern Saskatchewan and one river valley in extreme southeastern Alberta. The Eastern yellow-bellied racer occupies three river valleys in extreme Only found on Pelee Island, which supports a tiny population of a few hundred individuals. For this reason, its Canadian distribution is restricted to a few small, disjunct areas along the country’s southern border. The North American racer prefers warm temperatures and is poorly adapted to Canada’s cold climate. They also climb vegetation to bask in the sun, and it is not uncommon to find individuals draped over branches several metres above the ground. However, they are also excellent climbers and can rapidly ascend into trees and shrubs when fleeingĭanger. They rely on their speed and agility to escape predators. They are light grey or light brown with a row of darker grey, brown, or reddish-brown blotches down the back with smaller spots on the sides andĪs the name implies, North American racers can move very fast. Hatchlings and juveniles of all three subspecies are heavily patterned and look very different from adults. The Eastern subspecies is uniformly blueish-grey, blueish-green, or brown on theīack and sides while the Western subspecies is uniformly green, olive, yellowish-brown or reddish brown on the back and sides. Both the Eastern and Western yellow-bellied racers have a yellow underside. Individuals often have a black mask around the eyes that extends toward the back of the head. They have a white chin and throat, and the underside is white, cream, blueish-white or blueish-grey. Blue racers are blueish-grey, blueish-brown or blueish-green on the sides and back. Widens toward the back, a distinct neck, and large eyes with round pupils. North American racers have an angular head that The scales are smooth and give individuals a shiny appearance. The North American racer is a medium-sized snake that can grow to be just under 2 m long, although most individuals are much smaller than this.
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